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Anthony Joshua could be ready to challenge any heavyweight by this time next year

Glenn McCrory watched Anthony Joshua beat Gary Cornish last weekend and thinks world titles are just around the corner for the heavyweight

By Glenn McCrory

Another great night for Anthony Joshua last weekend as he closes in on those world title opportunities.

Anthony Joshua acknowledges the crowd after defeating Gary Cornish for the WBC International Heavyweight title & vacant Commonwealth Heavyweight title

I must say what a great atmosphere it was in the O2 Arena as he blasted out Gary Cornish in just 90 seconds. I notice at his fights that there’s a lot of women at his fights too. He’s becoming a real cross-over star who can attract more than just a boxing fan to his fights. But how far away is he from challenging for a world title?

First of all I like the route he is taking. He won the Commonwealth title last Saturday and will fight Dillian Whyte for the British on December 12, on what will be another massive night for British boxing.

You would then think he would go on to European and Erkan Teper – who beat David Price for the belt recently – would be an ideal opponent if he comes through Whyte. Win that and your putting yourself among the top names in the division.

He proved against Cornish that the quality is there. The Scot was the first we’ve saw come at Joshua, as he walked to him with the jab. But the big man dealt with that and scored his fastest ever stoppage. It shows that he’ll only get better against fighters who actually want to engage with him.

Honestly I think by this time next year he could be ready for anybody in the division – that includes a Klitschko or a Fury.

The one thing I’d like to see though is someone take him 12 rounds. If he can win the European then there’s names in the division such as a Alexander Povetkin, who are rough and tough and can take him the rounds.

He’s 14-0 now and I think he should be fighting for a world title round about his 20th fight.

He’s not gone past three rounds yet and I think that experience is all he lacks.